Thought Bubble - Company of the Year

Company: Thought Bubble, Brisbane, QLD, AustraliaCompany Description: Thought Bubble is the ‘go to’ strategic business communications firm that organisations turn to in order to win high value tenders for major civil and civic projects and programs. Established in 2003 the company has secured of billions of dollars in long-term supply contracts for its clients plus positioned companies in ‘top’ rankings as a precursor for market expansion or alliance activities.Nomination Category: Company/Organization Awards CategoriesNomination Sub Category: Company of the Year – Business Services – 10 or Less Employees

Describe for the judges the activities and accomplishments of the nominated organization since the beginning of July last year (up to 525 words): TEXT REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION

Thought Bubble is the ‘go to’ strategic business communications firm that organisations turn to in order to win significant contracts for the supply of critical services and programs. The pursuit of competitive tender opportunities is a top priority for many CEOs and boards in shaping their companies’ agendas for growth and organisational change. In 2015/16 Thought Bubble secured more than $2 billion in major contracts and funding for clients in areas including social and civil infrastructure development; and domestic and family violence response services and support.

Thought Bubble was founded in 2003 by Nyree McKenzie. Today, Thought Bubble is in high demand for its winning strategies and persuasive business communication, including service modelling and solutions development.

Increased collaboration between government and industry and an open tender environment has brought with it new challenges. Thought Bubble successfully leads many experts within client organisations to ensure their bid strategies are aligned to policy priorities, core business interests, the organisation’s growth strategy, and are strongly linked to corporate governance and shareholder value.

Thought Bubble is a recognised leader in delivering a persuasive and compelling business case that comply with probity, governance, complex regulatory and due diligence requirements, with a 100%/85% short list success/win rate, respectively. Thought Bubble has an average annual growth of 20%.

By using cloud computing and virtual technology, Thought Bubble’s close-knit team of international core consultants currently expands to 9 and contracts to 2. Together, the team provides cost-effective remote, round-the-clock service in a flexible and rostered ‘buddy’ system. The team conduct peer reviews of each other’s work, and are building a quality system that captures knowledge, best practice and improvement opportunities.

Example projects led by Thought Bubble since 1 July 2015 include:

CLIENT NAME OMITTED: In September 2015 Thought Bubble led the successful bid response for a new service charter and the establishment and delivery of new family and community support, education and advocacy services based in rural Queensland. The Thought Bubble team were again commissioned in June 2016 to develop tender responses for more centres in new locations. In September 2016 Thought Bubble will develop a web chat system for this organisation to support their national call centre operations.

CLIENT NAME OMITTED: In October 2015 Though Bubble advised the architects behind Wembley and Yankee Stadium upgrades, on winning strategies for their successful Round 1 pitch for the architectural component for major stadium upgrade program. The win was strategically significant for the company’s operations, giving them international media exposure and strengthened market position.

Queensland Government: Thought Bubble successfully tendered for appointment to the whole-of-government creative services panel. Thought Bubble is one of only 7 specialists on a panel of 15 agencies. Departments that have engaged Thought Bubble for strategic communications include the Department of Premier & Cabinet, Education Queensland, Department of Communities, Crown Law and Queensland Family and Child Commission.

In addition to tenders and strategic communications, Thought Bubble also conducted a significant amount of stakeholder consultation including the development of communication and/or business development plans for clients including Crown Law, Department of Communities, regional accounting firm Condon Treasure, and global companies SMEC and Philips Healthcare.

Provide a brief biography of the person or persons who lead the nominated company (up to 125 words):

Thought Bubble was founded by Nyree McKenzie in 2003 with a vision to provide remote-based executive level tender consultancy to management and business development teams.

Today, Thought Bubble has secured billions of dollars in long-term supply contracts plus positioned companies in ‘top’ rankings as a precursor for expansion or alliance activities. The team has expanded internationally to deliver round-the- clock service, including change management programs, to multinational and global brands.

Nyree’s achievements have been recognised with a number of awards, the most recent being a 2016 Gold Stevie for Thought Bubble in Sales & Customer Service – Service Industries and a 2016 Gold Stevie for Nyree in Sales & Customer Service Executive of the Year – Service Industries. She is married with two daughters.

Choose one (even if both apply): The CEO (or other principal manager) of this company is a woman, and at least 40% of the management team is comprised of women.